Aileen Ogilvie has dedicated her life to helping others. For over 37 years she has volunteered at organisations across the Northern Beaches. From starting out as a Lifeline counsellor to now running a safe space drop-in program at a Narrabeen café, her dedication to helping others is remarkable. 

Aileen’s tireless work made her the very deserving recipient of our Northern Beaches Australia Day Award Senior Citizen of the Year 2024. 

Although Aileen has helped countless people, she has never sought recognition for her efforts. With nominations now open for our 2025 Australia Day Awards, we rely on the community to nominate amazing individuals like Aileen to make sure they get the recognition they deserve. 

Nominate someone you feel inspired by today!  

Read more about Aileen’s volunteering, and how she felt when she received the Senior Citizen of the Year accolade. 

Can you tell us about how you started volunteering?

I’ve been volunteering on the Northern Beaches for over 37 years with a number of different organisations. I started out as a Lifeline counsellor then I started a support group for young people with learning difficulties. 

Since then, I’ve mentored young people in high schools, sat on a community drug action group and worked in grief counselling. Recently I joined MoWaNa, providing Coffees with Kindness, a safe space for people experiencing emotional or suicidal distress 3 mornings a week at the Mind Café in Narrabeen. 

What are Coffees with Kindness and how did they start?

I got talking to the owner of the Mind Café - Guy, and as he was making coffees, people get chatting to him and share their personal stories. Guy wanted people to feel listened to, he has his own story himself, but he needed to concentrate on running the cafe. He asked if I could sit and talk with people and we would call it Coffees with Kindness. 

It’s a safe place to come where you can share your story with no judgement. It used to just be me, but it’s been so popular that now I have someone else helping me. 

Who normally visits you at Coffees with Kindness?

All kinds of people come and visit us – some people are lonely and want to have a chat. Some people are going through hard things in their lives and it can help to share your story. 

What can people expect if they come visit you at the Mind Café?

The most important thing that I always make sure people feel is that they’re not alone. Not just that they’re listened to but that they’re heard. That’s very different to just listening to someone’s story. 

How did it feel to be awarded the Northern Beaches Australia Day Senior Citizen of the Year for 2024?

It was a great privilege especially for my family who have been on this journey with me, and especially my husband who has been there since the beginning.   

It was amazing to share this with them and for my grandkids to know how important it is to give back. 

You can visit Aileen for Coffees with Kindness on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 8.30 – 11am at the Mind Café in Narrabeen.

From our young trailblazers and inspiring seniors to dedicated community groups, sportspeople, and event organisers, let’s recognise those who make the Northern Beaches even better. Nominate them today.